If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, ask your dentist serving St. Louis if dental veneers could help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Veneers offer a long-term solution for many cosmetic dental woes. They’re long lasting and require very little special care. Are veneers the right choice for you? Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells that are attached to the surfaces of your teeth. You can have veneers attached to as few or as many teeth as you like. Veneers can be made of porcelain or resin, and because they are custom-made for you, they have a completely natural appearance. Veneers do not require any special care and last between five and 10 years before replacement is necessary.

How Are Veneers Placed?

To place veneers, your dentist will start by prepping the teeth that are being treated. It may be necessary to remove a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. After making an impression of your mouth and having your veneers created, your dentist will etch the surfaces of your teeth to allow for better bonding, and then put the veneers in place. Before the veneers are cemented, your dentist may make several adjustments to their shape and color to achieve the results you desire.

Should You Consider Veneers?

Veneers are a great option if you have teeth that are chipped, worn, misshapen, or severely discolored. Unlike dental crowns, they don’t require the removal of a large amount of natural tooth, and they look very natural. If you plan to have your teeth whitened, be sure to do it before you get your veneers, as you can’t alter the color of your veneers once they are in place.

If you want a more durable, effective solution for changing the color of your teeth than standard whitening, talk to your dentist serving St. Louis about veneers. Veneers can permanently change the shade of your teeth, while also improving their shape and size. Watch this video to learn more.

Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that are attached to the teeth. In the past, veneers required the removal of some of the surface of your teeth, but today’s veneers are so strong that little to no enamel removal is required. This means you can get the transformative power of veneers without compromising any of your natural tooth structure, which is a win for the appearance of your smile as well as your long-term dental health.

A Patient’s Guide to Porcelain Dental Veneers

Thanks to advancements in tooth restoration technology, dental porcelain can be sculpted to closely replicate the look and feel of natural tooth enamel, while providing the strength and resilience of natural tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers are ideal for individuals looking to make slight position alterations, or those who wish to change the shape, size, and/or color of their teeth. And while porcelain dental veneers are technically considered a cosmetic treatment, they can also make it easier and more comfortable to chew food. If you are considering veneers, this guide will tell you what you need to know.

Bonding Veneers to Teeth
The bond is the most important aspect of a veneer. To apply a veneer, your dentist will remove a very small amount of the original tooth, usually less than a millimeter. This not only creates room for the veneer to fit within the mouth but also ensures accurate tooth function and placement. Light-sensitive resin is placed between the original tooth and the veneer and hardened using a special curing light.

Caring for Porcelain Veneers
The good news about porcelain veneers is that they are quite simple to maintain—you simply treat them as you would your original teeth, with routine brushing, flossing, and visits to your St. Louis dentist. Your dentist may recommend non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste to keep your porcelain veneers looking like new. And if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth at night, your dentist may fit you with a nighttime bite guard to avoid damaging your veneers .

Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers
There are alternatives to porcelain veneers, so it helps to know the pros and cons before you have them applied. One major benefit of porcelain veneers is that they look and feel identical to natural teeth. Custom-made veneers also resist coffee and tea stains and cigarette smoke. On the downside, a veneer is not considered a reversible treatment, as a portion of the original tooth must be reduced prior to application. Porcelain veneers are also brittle and should not be used to chew on ice, bite fingernails, or open bottles with.

Tips for Choosing a Dentist

There are a lot of dentists to choose from in St. Louis, but some are better than others. You should take every precaution to ensure that your dentist is experienced, professional, and able to perform the services you and your family need. Whether you need a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening, an oral surgeon to perform a dental implant, or you simply need a checkup, these tips will help you find a dentist you can trust in St. Louis .

Ask Around for Recommendations
You trust your friends, family, and neighbors when they make recommendations about which movies to see and which new restaurants to check out, so why not ask them for a dentist recommendation? Even if your friends and family don’t have any dentists to recommend in the St. Louis area, they will almost always tell you which dentists to avoid.

Look for a “Full-Service” Dental Practice
There are a lot of “specialized” dental practices in St. Louis, especially of the cosmetic variety. You could drive all around town to different practices, or you could find a dentist that offers all the services you need. West County Dental, for example, provides everything from teeth whitening and Invisalign to oral surgery and dental implants. Once you build a relationship with your dentist, you will be happy that you don’t need to go anywhere else to undergo a special treatment.

We Accept Most Dental Insurance
Most traditional insurance plans (sometimes called “indemnity plans”) allow you to choose any dentist you desire. Other plans list specific dentists in your network. If your plan does not allow you to choose your own dentist , make sure the dentist is covered by your insurance policy. And remember that dental insurance doesn’t typically cover 100% of the cost associated with major dental services, so look for a dentist that offers no interest and extended payment plans.

See what patients have today about West County Dental in this 5- star Healthgrades review!